CHICO -- With economic prosperity leading the list, Mayor Mary Goloff outlined her top 10 priorities for Chico on Thursday before an audience of community, business and local government leaders.

At the Chico Chamber of Commerce's second annual business summit, about 125 people gathered to hear about the state of the city, progress made in challenges targeted last year and goals to target in 2013.

Goloff said Chico cannot rely on the federal government or the powers in Sacramento to help push it through this difficult time. Instead, residents need to rely on each other and work to better the community themselves.

"We forge ahead because we love Chico, and we know our community is filled with pride and promise and goodwill," she said.

Economic prosperity leads Goloff's list of priorities for Chico's future. The public and private sectors need to partner together, and all city staff needs to work with economic development in mind. "We need to be the best place to do business," she said.

Education was Goloff's second priority, with a focus on the three major assets of Chico Unified School District, Butte Community College and Chico State University.

Linked to that concept is the "talent dividend," and the need to develop jobs for college graduates who want to stay in Chico, she said. Education must also be supported at the elementary, junior and high school levels.

"The success of our future is closely tied to being an educated community that grows leaders from the ground up," she said.

Goloff also stressed the importance of social capital and the people who call Chico home. The city needs to embrace its residents, she said, and improve neighborhood livability and housing affordability.

Arts and culture, the downtown and creative community, embracing being green, health and fitness, and being senior-friendly were her final five points.

"These top 10 ... aren't working in isolation. Each is an integral part of another," Goloff said. "We have much to gain by working together."

Katie Simmons, president of the Chico Chamber of Commerce, said the mayor touched on many points the chamber agrees are clear priorities, especially that the community has a role in helping the city succeed.

"I feel we need to help the city stabilize and grow by investing in the business community, make sure we are creating a clean, safe environment, making sure the community is aware of the value of shopping locally," she said. "By investing in local businesses, you are investing in public safety and other services."

She especially liked how Goloff said the priorities were interlinked.

"This is a season of collaboration," she said. "We are all learning how to live with less by relying on each other."

Judy Smith, president of the board of Work Training Center, said much of Goloff's speech rang true for her.

"I was one of those people who came here in 1996 and I found a home," she said. "We love Chico, and we want it to continue to be the prize of California."